The Social Network star has been cast in The Bop Decameron alongside Roberto Benigni, Greta Gerwig, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page, Penelope Cruz and Judy Davis. Woody will also have a role in the film which begins shooting in Rome on July 11.

Jesse said: "I'm more than anything just interested to see how he works. The fact that I get to be in it too is even more exciting."

The 27-year-old actor revealed he had only met briefly with the director before being offered the role, as is Woody's usual practice.

He said: "I had a very brief meeting which is what I've heard is the typical, unconventional meeting.

"It was very sweet and he was very sweet to me and he's an idol of mine and it was very exciting to meet him."

Jesse revealed he would enjoy filming on location in Rome, but would miss his cats.

He said: "It's nice to be able to shoot in other places. Not because I feel I get to experience the other place but because it allows me to focus on the story that much more because you're not surrounded by my cats.

"Of course, that's the downside you end up leaving so much. But I have a very nice group of family and friends that feed the cats when I'm gone."

Jesse next appears in Holy Rollers as Hasidic Jew Sam, who lives in a very closed and religious community, but is recruited as a drugs mule to smuggle ecstasy from Amsterdam to New York. The film is released in cinemas on Friday July 8.